Welfare system, aging population and long-term care services in Italy.

The chapter analyses the development of the Italian welfare system and focuses on the recent transformations of social and welfare needs. These changes concern the governance of the system and the forms of social and health assistance, in response to emerging needs. The aging of the population in Italy is the aspect of welfare policies with greater social impact; the aging of the population is a constantly increasing trend. The Italian local welfare system is built on the analysis of the social needs of the population and the planning of social services in the area. The planning of services for the elderly is becoming more focused on emerging welfare needs, and welfare systems are increasingly being required to give answers even for long-term care policies.